Kirkintilloch Rob Roy boss calls for South Challenge Cup name change

Rob Roy celebrate their dramatic late winner over Linlithgow Rose in 2018 (pic by Scott Wilson)

But he does think the competition would benefit hugely from a change of name.

Contrary to its geographical label the competition also featured clubs from west and east, encompassing the Lowland League as well as the West, East and South of Scotland Leagues.

The draw for the opening stages of the competition takes place this Friday with the 161 participating clubs split into four geographical zones with the first two rounds regionalised.

Rabs have been placed in the North-East Zone – with potential opponents including Lowland League sides Camelon, Cumbernauld Colts, East Stirlingshire and Bo’ness United, former junior giants such as Linlithgow Rose and landlords Cumbernauld United.

But they won’t face a derby clash with Rossvale who fall into the North-West Zone, as do Ashfield, Petershill and Glasgow Perthshire.

In Round one for each zone there will be eight ties and 24 clubs will receive byes.

Round two will consist of 16 ties in each zone with the winners progressing to round three when the competition becomes all in.

"This is the FA Non League Cup. From what i hear they are trying to get the final played at Hampden and on TV and if they do that it makes it a showcase pinnacle event.

"But I do think they should change the name of it from the South Challenge Cup, maybe to the Scottish Non-League Challenge Cup, just to coincide with all the other teams in it.

"But it's definitely the Scottish Cup of non-league football now and if they can get it it to Hampden's it's a great event for players; it could be a pinnacle of a player's career to play in it.

"Looking at the section we are in there's a couple of top class teams in our section. I'm looking forward to it and hopefully the draw is favourable.

"If we could get a wee run it could be great for the players; that always gives you a welcome distraction from a long, hard gruelling league campaign."

The first round of the competition takes place on Saturday, September 11, with the second round scheduled for Saturday, October 16.